news

Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06), co-chair of the PFAS Task Force, released the following statement in response to reports that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is planning to rescind the landmark PFAS drinking water standard implemented last year.

“I see the urgent threat of PFAS firsthand in Michigan, and this is a problem many communities across our country are facing and working hard to rectify. After years of fighting, the EPA issued a final rule to limit the levels of PFAS commonly found in drinking water, an important step to keep forever chemicals out of our homes. Rescinding this standard means more Americans will be poisoned and harmful PFAS contamination will continue to spread. Too many people have already suffered the adverse effects of PFAS exposure, and we must do everything possible to combat this dangerous public health threat.”

The national drinking water standard issued last year by the EPA set legally enforceable levels, called Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs), for six PFAS commonly known to occur in drinking water. The EPA estimates this rule will prevent PFAS exposure in drinking water for approximately 100 million people, prevent thousands of deaths, and reduce tens of thousands of serious PFAS-attributable illnesses.

Dingell has long led the fight against PFAS as the author of the PFAS Action Act, which includes establishing a strong national drinking water standard.